One day, you were busy browsing the net when out of the blue, a message from a random stranger popped up. Although your initial response was to just shrug it off and ignore it, curiosity got the better of you and you felt tempted to open and read the message.
To your surprise, the sender was promising to send you $1,000 weekly provided that you chat with them.
Of course, that sounded too good to be true, right? So, you decided to scrutinize the profile of the stranger who sent the message and you noticed that it came from someone who claims to be a rich man. However, you noticed that the profile itself is suspicious, and just like you’ve guessed, it’s probably a blatant scam!
Scams are like mushrooms popping up everywhere, and the world of sugar dating hasn’t escaped their dangerous claws. Sugar daddy scams involve scammers who try to steal your data or money. These scammers pose as older wealthy people who promise to pay you in exchange for your companionship.
Were you ever offered some cash by a random stranger online? If yes, then, it’s very likely that it’s a sugar daddy scam. This article delves into tips on how to avoid being taken advantage of by these scammers.
Obvious Warning Signs of Sugar Daddy Scams
While it’s already suspicious enough to receive a message from a random stranger offering you money, you can never be too careful. Rather than falling prey to the seemingly sweet talks of these scammers, there are several telltale warning signs that you should watch out for. Some of these are the following:
· Limited number or lack of followers or friends
One of the most obvious signs that the sugar daddy profile you’re dealing with is fake is when the account has very few to no followers or friends. If this is the case, likely, that the person behind the account isn’t the person he claims to be.
· Newly created account
When the profile in question has only a few posts or hasn’t been active for a long time, this might be because it was only made to serve as a front for a sugar daddy scam scheme. To ensure that you don’t become an unknowing victim, practice extra caution when checking the profile for signs that the user is legitimate.
· Requests for payments
If the person who claims to be a sugar daddy asks you to pay them as proof of your loyalty, there is a big possibility that it’s just a scam out to get your money. These requests might be in the form of gift cards, payment apps, or even malicious websites.
· Poor grammar or spelling
Does the message you received from a self-proclaimed sugar daddy contains wrong spellings and poor grammar? If yes, then, you will be better off if you just ignore it because it probably came from a scammer.
· Asks for your personal data
Another common way sugar daddy scammers use to lure more victims is by asking for personal details that they will then take advantage of to steal your identity or hack your accounts. If the person asks you to give your personal information to them, you’re likely dealing with a scammer on the other end of the line.
· Stolen pictures
Since no scammers would even dare use their photos on their dating profiles, you have to be extra wary and keep a close eye on stolen or suspicious pictures. You can try performing a reverse image search to confirm if the profile photo is stolen or not.
So the next time you receive a random message from a stranger, be sure to watch out for these telltale warning signs to save yourself from being a victim of sugar daddy scams.
Now that you’ve got some idea of what a sugar daddy scam often looks like, it’s time to learn a few helpful tips on how to stay away from it.
Tips to Protect Yourself from Sugar Daddy Scams
While it’s great to arm yourself with some knowledge on how to identify a sugar daddy scam even from a mile away and ensure that you don’t fall for it, it’s even better if you know how to avoid them completely once and for all.
Even though it’s likely for these scams to proliferate your online life, here are some tips to help you avoid being taken advantage of by these scammers and the risks they may pose.
1. Never click on suspicious links.
Most if not all sugar daddy scams want you to follow a link that will direct you to a malicious website intended to steal your personal data. Never click on links included in the messages from these suspicious sugar daddies to reduce the possibility of getting malware that may infect your device or have your identity stolen.
2. Block suspicious accounts.
It will always be best for your peace of mind to block suspicious accounts that send you messages. For instance, if a suspicious sugar daddy profile sends you a message on a dating platform, block it right away.
Doing so will minimize the risk of having your judgment accidentally clouded which might tempt you to form an online relationship with the fake persona of a sugar daddy scammer.
3. Disregard unknown senders.
Another great way to avoid being taken advantage of by sugar daddy scams is to avoid paying attention to unsolicited messages that come from unknown senders. Not giving your precious time on these accounts will leave them with no choice but to move on to their next target, thus reducing your risks of getting scammed.
4. Avoid sending money to people you don’t even know.
Although it can be tempting to believe that the sugar daddy will send you money if you send them money first, this is the last thing you should be doing right now. Aside from the possibility of losing your hard-earned money, there is also the possibility that the scammer will try hacking into your online payment account after they get their hands on your details.
5. Protect your personal information at all costs.
It doesn’t matter where you are and whom you talk to online, safeguarding your personal data should always be your top priority to ensure that it doesn’t end up in the hands of scammers. The best way to prevent this is to avoid sharing your personal information with strangers online.
At the end of the day, avoiding sugar daddy scams is easy as long as you know what to look for. Remember these tips and have a fun and safe sugar dating experience!